Efficacy of topical 0.05% retinaldehyde in skin aging by ultrasound and rheological techniques

Background: The natural precursor of retinoic acid, i.e. retinaldehyde, has been proven to exert retinoid activities. Aim and Methods: The aim of this prospective instrument study was to determine the effect of topical retina ldehyde 0.05% on the physical properties of aging skin. This was performed using two devices, namely a high-resolution (70-80 mu m) ultrasound scanner , which visualizes the thickness of both the epidermis and the dermis, and an echorheometer, which assesses the stiffness and elasticity of the skin b y suction. In a 1-year study, 21 patients applied retinaldehyde cream 0.05% on the face, while another group of 19 volunteers were only treated with a n emollient (control group). Epidermal and dermal thicknesses were measured on the forehead and temple, and stiffness and elasticity were measured on the forehead only. All the instrumental parameters were assessed at baselin e and at the end of treatment. Results: Compared to the control group, reti naldehyde treatment induced a significant increase in epidermal thickness o f the temple, as well as in cutaneous elasticity (p < 0.01). Similarly, ret inaldehyde treatment tended to increase dermal thickness and reduce cutaneo us stiffness, but no statistical difference could be observed between the t wo groups. Conclusion: Taken together, the results further suggest that ret inaldehyde has counteracting effects on skin aging.